Railroad-crossing gate.



l. OIVIERZ.

RAILROAD CROSSING GATE.

APPLICATION FILED AUGJT, |917.

l @UM Patented May 28,1918.

I. oMEazo.

RAILROAD CROSSING GATE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.I7, 19H.

I @UW Pmtemd May 28,1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- @Mio/Mag tot Josnrn; onnrizo, or cnrcaeo, rnnrivois.

nArLnoAn-cnossin'e earn.

Specification of Letters Patent. Pgttntgadl Maty 28, 1.91%..

Applicationled August 17, 191'?. Serial No. 186,781.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JosEPI-I OMnRZo, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of illinois, have invented new and useful `Imlprovements in Railroad-Crossing Gates, of'

which the following is a specification.

This invention is an automatic gate more particularly adapted for use at railroad crossings where no gateman or guard is provided, and is one operatedby the passageof a vehicle over a track through electrically actuating devices. l

Most of the crossing gates in common are manually operated and therefore require the attention of a guard for their operation.

Many accidents have occurred at railroad crossings that are unguarded as the expense of maintaining guards at all crossings would be large. The usual means kprovided for unguardedcrossings consists of a warning post with sometimes a bell or other audible signal device. l

One object of the invention is to provide a railroad crossing that would be automatically operated by the passage of a train.

Another object is to provide a gate that will be restored to its normal position after the train has proceeded a certain distance from the crossing. y

Still amotherobject is to provide a gate with electrically operated devices lto auto-v matically actuate the gate to and from its normal position and at the same time give a warning signal.

A further object is to provide track devices including switching mechanisms for controlling the circuits to the electric devices actuating the gate, which track devices'are spaced from the crossing suitable distances.

The invention broadly stated comprises a box, a barrier pivotally mounted therein, electric devices for moving the barrier, track devices for controlling the operation of the electric devices, a source of energy, circuits between said source of energy and the several devices and a signal mechanism.

One practical form of construction and assembly will be described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section of the box for the gate actuating de- Fig. 2is an end elevation partly in section ofthe box.` y

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the circuiting arrangement.

Fig. 4: is anenlarged detail view of the track device operated by the wheel flange.

In the preferred embodiment about to be described the box may be generally indicated at 5 which maybe of any usual type and formed of any suitable material. As shown the box is substantially rectangular and is provided with a round top 6. The top 6 has a slot 7 formed therein which extends substantially from the center of the top to one, of the sides of the box. Extending transversely of the box is ashaft 8 which is carried in suitable journals indicated at 9 and 10. As shown in Fig. 2 the shaft 8 may be provided with the arms 11 and 12, which arms are provided at their extremities with the ccunterweights. |The arms 11 and 12 may be secured to the shaft in any suitable lnanner, one means being shown by the pins 15.

Secured to the shaft 8 and between the bearings 9 and 10 is a barrier 16. The barrier may be secured by any suitable means, one of which is indicated by the pin 17. The barrier is preferably so positioned that it `will operate freely into the slot 7.

.cured to one wall of the box 5 is a bracket '21, securing means being indicated by the screws 22. The bracket 21 is so formed that it extends for a short distance at right angles to the vertical side of the box and connected to this portion of the bracket is a curved portion 23. As shown the curved portion forms substantially a quadrant.

` Secured to the quadrant are segments 24 and 25 which maybe formed of any suitable conducting material and are preferably insulated from each other by means ofthe insulating segments 26, 27 and 28. They are also insulated from the quadrant by means of `the insulation indicated at 29. The segment 24 is provided with a terminal 30 and the segment 25 is provided with a terminal 31. l

Secured to the shaft 8 at a convenient tot point is a -gfearj wheel 32 that isadapt'ed 'to mesh with the pinion 33 carried upon the v shaft 34.0f the electric motor 35. The elec- The box 5 may have adjacent its `base 38 :an opening which isfcloeed by the doorr 39.

The opening should'be of s'uiiioien't vsize to permit the' battery ,Mi-being placed Within the bon. yll-h'e battery 40 'may'-be of any desired type vbut i's preferably 'constructedias a storage battery.

In @Figa 4 ithere is illustrated one of the itraclrid'evi'ces the assembly being 'mounted -withilnith'e b'o'X' 41.," a' suitableY switching *meeh- 'anisrnis 'mountedtherein' andupon a base 42. rl-he base 42 'is':preterab'ly tor-med' of insulating n'iaterial and 'atone end 'is provided lwith anupstanding pedestal 43lpro'videdl with a 'transverse holefthr'ough' which passes a pin 44. Coperatively fconnectedwith vthe pin is la switch plate formed of 'the' conducting p'ort'ions45, 46 and 47 supported by vthe insu- 'l'atedifportions 48, 49 and' 50. The Vfree end l`o'fthe plate isfangularly formed as indicated 'at 51. Mounted upon-the base 42. are the Spring engaging Vi1ngg'ers"52,'53 and 54. At the right hand end ofthe base 42 there jis another pedestal which affords a pivotal mounting forl thecatch 56. The pivotal -inountingf being indicated at5-7. The spring '58 may be :secured to the base 42b`y meansothe Screw 59'. Asshownthe spring 58 maybe formed of a signal lleaf and 'exerts its Axpressure `to 'force thecatch 56 inwardx toward the s-witclr plate; Ait fa point vintern'iediate `of thel spring` finger 52and tlhe -edf to "be 'compressed by the downward movement ofthe `switch plate. Secured 'to l'the rswitch 4plate yis a'v plunger ihaving 1a `stem 61, 'the lower end of `wl'rich is connected to 4the -s'ivitchl platejby means of the pin 62.- The 'thewheel65- )tread `surface 66 is adapted to ride upon'fthe upper end oit 'the plunger stem 61 'may be Jj ororided with a round head 63 so as to providea batterycontact 'with'fthe A'Hange 64 of The w'h'eelf65-by m'eans'of its V:undersile of theA upper Wali of the boxr 41 tery 40 `by means of :the wire83.

andthe horizontal portion 69 of the L-Shaped member is a coil spring 70. The stem 61 may, be provided with a suitable pin or washer asindiicatcd at 71. When the stem 61 is moved downward by the pressure of tlie"'laiig'e"64, the spring 70 will be compressed between the pin 71 and the horizontal portion 69. At the same time'the Switch plate w-ill'be moved'-downward and compress the spring 60. When the switch plate is moved downward a Sullicient distance the 'point 51 will lengage with the catch 56 and be held thereby through Ithe action of the `-spring 58. The catch 5G may be fornlcd'of -ln'agnetlc material or at maycarr.74 anarmature to coperate with'the core 72 ofthefcloctromagnet 73. WhenV the elcctromagnct 7 3 is `energized it will attract the catch 56 whereupon the energy lstored within the springO'and 70 will cause thelswitch plate and plunger to frise and'be disengaged from thespring ingersf52, 53 and 54.

Fig. 3 illustrates the circuiting arrange- Inentbetween the |track devicesland the barrier actuating devices. The track way 'is illustrated by 'means of the rail6'7 and 74. The battery 40 has one of its terminale connected'to the barrier =16 by aneansof the conductor 75.V `Leading from Ethis terminal `of the battery 40 is `another conductor 76 which is connected rto thecon'ductor 77. One termina-l' offthis conductor y77 is connected tothe pedestal 43 and to the spring linger 521k Theothe'r terminal of the battery 40 'isconneetcdfto a conductor 78 which is connected to -the"co'nducto`r 79. 'One terminal' of this conductor A79 is-connected to the brush 80 of the :motor while the other terminal yis conlne'etedI to one rterminal of vthe -e'le'ctrom'agnet 7 3a. The other terminal of the 'electromagnet 73a is connected' to the conductor 80 which is connected with the segment 25. The spring lingers 53 v'and 53 4are interconnectedby meai'is ottlth'e conductor 81 and the spring lingers 54 and 54 are Iconnected by means ofthe conductor 82. The conductor 82 isfco'nnecte'd to one tern'nnal of 'the `bat- 'llhe conductor 81 -is also connected fto 'the conductor 76 at the point indicatedv at 84.

Leading from the ibrush 85o`t the motor is a conductor 86p` which connects with the spring" finger 52. The pedestalI '43"L is connected-2t@ fthe conductor 86 by means of the conductor 87. The Switch plate conducting 'portion 46has coimectedtthc'reto a conductor 88 which'connects with the lcondhcting portion 47a of t'he other switch plate. The conducting portion 47 is connected -by lmeans of the'conductor89wi'th the conducting portion 46n of the other switch plate.

The' liel'dlfSO of the elect-ric'1motor35 `has its terminal connected with the conductors 88and 8'9. Thefcondi'lctinfg segment '24' has Aconnected thereto the eonduetor '91 which is connected to one terminal of the electro-magnet 7 The other terminal of this electromagnet is connected with the battery 40 by means of the conductor 92 which is connected to the conductors 78 and 83 at the point indicated at 93.

Mounted upon one wall of the box 5 is a circuit closing device 94 which is operated by the barrier 16 when ythe barrier approaches and is at its lower limit of travel. This circuit closing device 94 may include the audible signal bell 95. As shown in Fig. 3 the circuit 95l for the bell 95 including the circuit closing device 94 is connected to the conductor 75 at the point indicated at 96 and to the conductor 79 where the same is connected with the brush 80.

In practical operation the barrier is normally in the vertical position. Upon the approach of the train the flange 64 will contact with the head 63 forcing the stem of the plunger 61 downward so that the switch plate at the left will engage with its spring lingers and be heldin a closed position by means of the catch 56. Thus a circuit will be formed from battery 40, to wires 92, 78 and 79 through motor 35 to wire 86, through contacts 52, switch portion 45 and contact 43 to wires 77 and 76 to the battery. Current is supplied to the lield 90 from battery 40 through wires 92, 83 and 82, contact 54, switch portion 47, a wire 89 to field 90 and from said iield 90 to wire 88, and switch portion 46 and contact 53 to wires 81 and 76 to battery. Thus the motor is started and the gate lowered. Just before the gate reaches the end of its movement the contact 94 is closed and the alarm sounded through the wire 7 5 leading from the battery 40, contact 94, alarm circuit 95, wires 79, 78 and 92 to battery. This alarm will continue to sound as long as the gate is in lowered position. When the gate is nearing its lowered position the contact 19 on the gate passes over contact 24 so that a circuit is completed through wires 91 to magnet 73 through wire 92 to battery 40, to wire 75 gate shaft andl rear end gate portion 18 back to contact 19,

on the barrier or gate. Thus magnet 73 is? energized and the catch 56 is actuated to release the switch plate and thus stop the motor with the gate in lowered position. As the train passes over the crossing and proceeds a lcertain distance therebeyond, the wheel flange 64 will engage with the plunger 61u of the other track device which will canse the current to flow through the field in the opposite direction as follows: from battery 40, wires 92, 83, and 82 contact 54, switch portion 47, wire 88 through field 90 Gopies of this patent may be obtained for ist 79 through the motor to wire 86 and wire 87 to contact 43a, switch portion 45a, contact 52a, wires 77 and 76 to battery. When the gate is raised the contact 94 is broken and the alarm ceases to sound. Near the completion of the upward movement of the gate the contact 19 thereof moving over contact 25 will energizeNmagnet 7 3EL so as to attract the armature catch and thus release the switch plate and stop the motor with the gate in raised position. The current will flow as follows: from battery 40 wires 92, 78, 79, magnet 73a, wire 80', contact 25, contact 19, gateshaft, wire 26 and wire 75 to battery.

What is claimed as new, is

1. A device of the class described comprising a gate, a reversible motor to operate the gate and having a field coil, normally open, train operated switches on opposite sides of the gate, a circuit for the coil closed by one switch for causing the current to flowA holding saidswitches closed when operated by the train, an electro-magnet at each switch for controlling said means, circuits for said magnets closed by said gate near the respective limits of its opening and closing movement.

2. A device of the class described comprising a gate, a reversible motor to operate the gate and having a lield coil, normally open, train operated switches on opposite sides of the gate, a circuit for the coil closed by one switch for causing the current to flow in one direction through the coil, another circuit for the coil closed by the other switch for causing the current to How in the opposite direction through the coil, each of said switches including a spring controlled arm having a plurality of insulated portions thereon, contacts coperating with each portion, said contacts and portions being connected with the circuits, a catch member for holding the arm in closed position when operated by the train, and an electro-magnet controlling said catch member, and circuits for said magnets closed by said gate near the respective limits of its opening and closing movement.

In testimony whereof l aiiix my signature.

JOSEPH OMERZG.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner or Patente, Washington, D. C. 

